May 23, 2023

Comparing and contrasting the derived Greek prefixes "hyper-" and "hypo-"

18 minutes

Words derived from "hyper-"

Hyperactive – "hyper-" comes from the Greek "huper," meaning "over, beyond." "Active" comes from the Latin "activus," meaning "doing, performing." So, "hyperactive" literally means "overly doing or performing."

Hyperbole –"hyper-" means "over, beyond." "Bole" comes from the Greek "ballein," meaning "to throw." So, "hyperbole" literally means "overthrow," referring to an exaggeration or overstatement.

Hypercritical: The word "hypercritical" combines the prefix "hyper-" meaning "excessive" or "over" and the word "critical" meaning "inclined to find fault." Together, "hypercritical" means excessively or overly critical.

Hypertension: The word "hypertension" combines the prefix "hyper-" meaning "above" or "beyond" and the word "tension" meaning "pressure." Together, "hypertension" means high blood pressure.

Hyperthermia: The word "hyperthermia" combines the prefix "hyper-" meaning "above" or "beyond" and the word "thermia" meaning "heat." Together, "hyperthermia" means abnormally high body temperature.

Hyperglycemia: The word "hyperglycemia" combines the prefix "hyper-" meaning "above" or "beyond" and the word "glycemia" meaning "glucose (sugar) in the blood." Together, "hyperglycemia" means high blood sugar.

Hyperventilation: The word "hyperventilation" combines the prefix "hyper-" meaning "excessive" or "over" and the word "ventilation" meaning "breathing." Together, "hyperventilation" means excessive or rapid breathing.

Hypermarket – "hyper-" means "over, beyond." "Market" comes from the Latin "mercatus," meaning "buying, selling." So, "hypermarket" refers to a large, usually out-of-town retail complex offering a wide range of goods.

Words derived from "hypo-"

Hypodermic: "hypo-" means "under, below." "Dermic" comes from the Greek "derma," meaning "skin." So, "hypodermic" refers to something that is injected under the skin.

Hypoglycemia – "hypo-" means "under, below." "Glycemia" comes from the Greek "glukus," meaning "sweet." So, "hypoglycemia" refers to a condition where the body has abnormally low levels of sugar in the blood.

Hypothermia – "hypo-" again means "under, below." "Thermia" comes from the Greek "therme," meaning "heat." So, "hypothermia" means "underheating," referring to a condition where the body temperature drops below normal.

Hypothesis – "hypo-" means "under, below." "Thesis" comes from the Greek "tithenai," meaning "to place, to put." So, "hypothesis" literally means "under a put thing," referring to a tentative explanation or assumption.

Hypocrisy – "hypo-" means "under, below." "Crisis" comes from the Greek "krisis," meaning "decision, judgment." So, "hypocrisy" literally means "under judgment," referring to the act of pretending to have moral standards or beliefs that one does not actually possess.

Hypothyroidism: The word "hypothyroidism" combines the prefix "hypo-" meaning "under" or "beneath" and the word "thyroid" meaning a gland in the neck that produces hormones. Together, "hypothyroidism" means an underactive thyroid gland.

Hypotension: The word "hypotension" combines the prefix "hypo-" meaning "under" or "beneath" and the word "tension" meaning "pressure." Together, "hypotension" means low blood pressure.

Hypogeal: The word "hypogeal" combines the prefix "hypo-" meaning "under" or "beneath" and the word "geal" meaning "of the earth." Together, "hypogeal" means growing or living under the ground.

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By Liam Connerly

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